By Emmanuel Gutiérrez. Mexican Press Agency.
The NFL has already begun its preparations for the 2025 season—a year in which the Philadelphia Eagles are the reigning champions. But it’s also a season filled with opportunity for international players to shine on the gridiron. Among them are several Mexicans hoping to secure a spot on a team’s final roster.
Currently, six Mexican players are fighting for a place on the 53-man roster. If they don’t make the cut, some may still find a spot on the practice squad, keeping their dream alive of one day wearing a starting jersey in the NFL.
Mexico represents a massive market for the NFL. According to official league data, there are around 46 million fans in the country—ranging from die-hards to casual viewers—so seeing a Mexican athlete donning an NFL jersey is especially appealing to the local audience.
Mexicans in the 2025 NFL Draft: Chasing the Final Roster
The NFL Draft is the most direct path into the league. A strong performance at the Scouting Combine significantly raises a player’s stock. For that reason, lesser-known athletes often give it their all in hopes of securing a better contract.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, three players of Mexican descent were selected. Their performance in training camp over the coming months will be critical in influencing their head coaches’ final decisions.
Two of those players—Elijah Arroyo and Abraham Montaño—are adding a Mexican flavor to the 2025–26 NFL season.
Elijah Arroyo
Arroyo, a tight end, was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round at No. 50 overall. He’ll compete with Noah Fant for the starting role. With time and dedication, he could earn his spot.
Although born in Florida, Arroyo lived in Cancún when he was six to thirteen years old and where he began playing football. He has strong ties to Mexico and has proudly displayed the tricolor flag on several occasions.
At 22 years old, standing 6’5″ (1.96 m) and weighing 250 lbs (113 kg), he has the physical tools to become one of the top players in his position. He’ll need to work hard to impress head coach Mike Macdonald.
Abraham Montaño
Montaño, a kicker, received an invitation to the New York Giants’ rookie minicamp. He’ll have to prove he has a strong leg to earn a roster spot.
Born in Salinas, California, to parents from Jalisco (near Lake Chapala), Montaño played college football for the New Mexico State Aggies. He’s a die-hard Chivas fan and wears the number 9 on his jersey in honor of Omar Bravo.
Damien Martínez
Another Mexican competing for a spot is Damien Martínez, a 21-year-old running back from the Miami Hurricanes with impressive physical power. He turned heads at the scouting combine.
Drafted in the 7th round at pick No. 223 by the Seattle Seahawks, Martínez is on a rookie contract and hopes to claim one of three running back spots on the roster.
He’s of Mexican descent through his mother. At 6’0″ (1.83 m) and 214 lbs (97 kg), Martínez averaged 6.2 yards per carry in college, racking up 1,002 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Sebastián Castro
Sebastián Castro is a special case. The former Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back went undrafted but is known for his ability to stop the run. The Pittsburgh Steelers recognized his potential and offered him a training camp contract.
His grandparents are from Jalisco and Zacatecas. He speaks Spanish and was a key contributor to the Hawkeyes’ defense for three seasons. Now, he’s aiming to impress Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and earn a starting role.
Isaac Alarcón
Isaac Alarcón joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, making him one of the standout talents developed through this initiative.
After stints with multiple practice squads, the San Francisco 49ers extended his contract for another year in January. He’s now aiming to make the final 53-man roster.
One of Alarcón’s challenges has been not having studied at a U.S. college, which has made it harder to earn a starting spot. Still, he remains determined to make it in 2025.
Alfredo Gutiérrez
The last Mexican player chasing a roster spot is Alfredo Gutiérrez. He has already played in preseason games for the San Francisco 49ers and currently serves as the team’s ambassador to engage Mexican fans.
Despite his ambassadorial role, Gutiérrez can still train with the team and fight for a roster spot while his contract is active.
In the end, six Mexican players are chasing the dream of making an NFL roster—a dream that seemed impossible just decades ago but is now more attainable than ever, thanks to the growing pool of Mexican talent across the league.
What Are Elijah Arroyo’s Goals with the Seattle Seahawks?
Elijah arrives with solid performances from his time with the Miami Hurricanes.
Though he plays tight end, his edge lies in his receiving skills and exceptional mobility, especially given his size—qualities that could work in his favor.
He’s even bigger than Seattle’s natural wide receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tory Horton, and Ricky White III, which could help him secure a significant role.
However, one question mark is his durability—he missed a couple of months last season due to a knee injury.
Still, head coach Mike Macdonald has shown he’s not afraid to bet on young athletes, even at the cost of parting ways with big-name players like DK Metcalf or Geno Smith.
What Are Abraham Montaño’s Goals with the New York Giants?
The Giants are in the midst of a roster rebuild, and one of the key positions under scrutiny is kicker—Montaño’s specialty.
Veteran Graham Gano is expected to return as the starter after battling injuries for the past two years. The Giants are keeping their options open in case of another setback.
This opens a door for Montaño, though the road ahead is long. First, he’ll need to stand out during the offseason.
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial already has his eye on him. That’s just the first step in a longer journey. Montaño will need to take it one step at a time.
Where to Watch Elijah Arroyo and Abraham Montaño in the 2025–26 NFL Season
Mexico: Canal 5, Canal 7, ESPN/Disney+, Fox Sports, NFL Game Pass, Prime Video, and ViX Premium
United States: NBC, Fox, Prime Video, ESPN, CBS, and Netflix
Related: The Mexican Files: An emergency documentary from the creators of ‘A Day Without Mexicans’
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
